Carcharodon Megalodon

One of the most interesting and still mystifying of all prehistoric creatures is the megatooth shark, Carcharodon megalodon. Although some movies have featured this shark alongside dinosaurs, Carcharodon megalodon may have actually become extinct as little as 50,000 years ago.

For over 15 million years, this massive megatooth shark ruled the oceans of this world. They did not leave behind a lot of prehistoric fossil evidence of their existence, since their bodies are mostly made of cartilage, but their huge teeth still amaze shark fanatics today.

The huge teeth of the megalodon shark can be found all over the world, some of them reaching sizes over seven inches in length. Although it is not very common, it is entirely possible to find a large megalodon tooth laying on the shore of a beach. Typically, they are more easily found while shark tooth diving or hunting with sand scoops underwater on particular beaches that have a higher concentration of teeth.

Their teeth fossils have been used to reconstruct jaws as well as estimates on their total length. Although the exact length is still heavily debated, it’s commonly accepted that it grew to lengths of at least 50 feet and potentially as much as 70 feet. It’s also believed that they may have weighed over 100 tons.

The scientific community still debates many aspects of C. megalodon, including it’s origin and proper scientific classification. It’s been argued that this species should actually be called Carcharocles megalodon, putting it in relation to the great white shark, Charcharocles carcharias. Even more scientists propose that it should use the genus Otodus. Despite all of this controversy, the Carcharodon genus is still widely accepted as the proper place for it.